Several units of the Indian armed forces were undergoing a critical tri-service communications exercise named ‘Haldi Ghati’ between April 18 and April 22 when the deadly Pahalgam terror attack took place, killing 26 civilians, mostly tourists, sources told India Today TV.

This exercise, held under the aegis of the Department of Military Affairs, sources said, played a crucial role in enabling the forces to quickly mobilise and launch Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructures across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK).

The exercise focused on establishing seamless communication and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, anticipating imminent hostilities, ensured the deployment of advanced communication systems and the consolidation of air defence assets into Joint Air Defence Centres in forward areas.

As a result, when Operation Sindoor was launched, the tri-services were able to maintain real-time communication and monitor Pakistan’s responses with clarity. Integrated radars and combined command-and-control systems provided defence headquarters with a comprehensive battlefield picture along the India-Pakistan border, facilitating swift and coordinated decisions.

Ground formations, trained extensively in future warfare techniques under the Department of Military Affairs, successfully countered drone attacks launched by Pakistan on the nights of May 7, 8 and 9, sources said.

ABOUT INDIA-PAKISTAN CONFLICT

India launched Operation Sindoor with precision strikes on nine terror camps in the early hours of May 7, retaliating to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. In the days that followed – May 8, 9 and 10 – Pakistan attempted strikes on Indian military installations.

India, however, hit back hard, delivering substantial damage to several critical Pakistani military assets, including airbases, radar sites, air defence systems and command centres.

On the evening of May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that both countries had agreed to an immediate halt to all military actions, across land, air and sea.